A NYSP Investigator starts the process of determining the cause of a fatal accident at the on-ramp to I 87 at Exit 4 in Colonie, N.Y. Nov. 30, 2011. The cones mark the location of the deceased person on the side of the road. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

A NYSP Investigator starts the process of determining the cause of a fatal accident at the on-ramp to I 87 at Exit 4 in Colonie, N.Y. Nov. 30, 2011. The cones mark the location of the deceased person on the ... more

Photo: Skip Dickstein

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Traffic in the north bound lane of I 87 is slowed while State Police investigate a fatal accident a the on-ramp to Exit 4 in Colonie, N.Y. Nov. 30, 2011. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Traffic in the north bound lane of I 87 is slowed while State Police investigate a fatal accident a the on-ramp to Exit 4 in Colonie, N.Y. Nov. 30, 2011. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Photo: Skip Dickstein

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A NYSP Investigator photographs the scene during the process of determining the cause of a fatal accident at the on-ramp to I 87 at Exit 4 in Colonie, N.Y. Nov. 30, 2011. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

A NYSP Investigator photographs the scene during the process of determining the cause of a fatal accident at the on-ramp to I 87 at Exit 4 in Colonie, N.Y. Nov. 30, 2011. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union)

Photo: Skip Dickstein

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A NYSP Investigator starts the process of determining the cause of a fatal accident at the on-ramp to I 87 at Exit 4 in Colonie, N.Y. Nov. 30, 2011. The cones mark the location of the deceased person on the side of the road. (Skip Dickstein/Times Union) less

A NYSP Investigator starts the process of determining the cause of a fatal accident at the on-ramp to I 87 at Exit 4 in Colonie, N.Y. Nov. 30, 2011. The cones mark the location of the deceased person on the ... more

Photo: Skip Dickstein

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Dawn Marie Wright (Family photo)

Dawn Marie Wright (Family photo)

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Dawn Marie Wright (Family photo)

Dawn Marie Wright (Family photo)

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Dawn Wright, left, with her boyfriend Scott Loiselle, right, and their son Xavier, in November 2010. (Family photo)

Dawn Wright, left, with her boyfriend Scott Loiselle, right, and their son Xavier, in November 2010. (Family photo)

COLONIE — Even as she prepared to give birth to her firstborn, Dawn Wright stopped long enough to wish everyone in the Connecticut hospital delivery room Happy New Year, and 29 seconds into 1996 gave birth to a baby girl named Gabrielle, the woman's former husband said Wednesday.

"That was her spirit and she was a fighter," said Michael Wright of Clifton Park Wednesday night as he recalled Dawn Wright, who died around 6 a.m. Wednesday after being struck by a pickup truck as she walked on the Northway ramp at Exit 4.

Police and family members are unsure why she was walking along the road.

The 40-year-old Clifton Park woman was on the northbound ramp when she was struck by a 1997 GMC driven by Chad Finning, 33, of Loudonville, troopers said.

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Police said Finning was entering the ramp around 6 a.m. in his truck when his vehicle struck the woman. Police said she was wearing dark clothing and walking north along the road, which was wet from overnight rain. Sunrise was at 7:04 a.m.

Finning immediately stopped, according to police, and no charges are expected against him.

On Wednesday night, Wright's younger sister, Kerry Boettcher of Schenectady recalled sitting behind her sister in a car Saturday night as the woman sang Christmas carols to her young son, Xavier Loiselle, 4, while the family drove through Washington Park in Albany enjoying the holiday lights.

The two sisters had spent Thanksgiving and Black Friday together, added Boettcher.

"She was loyal and generous and was a nurturing soul," said Boettcher, 37. Wright also enjoyed camping.

Asked what her sister might have been doing walking on the road, Boettcher said she didn't know.

"(It was) very out of character," Boettcher said.

Born in New Jersey, Wright moved with her family to Colonie in 1979. Six years later, the family relocated to Clifton Park where Dawn graduated from Shenendehowa High School in 1989.

"She loved to lend a help and take care of people," her sister said.

Michael Wright said the couple remained cordial even after their marriage ended in 2004.

"She was very giving and would do anything for you," Wright said.

State Police are asking anyone who saw a pedestrian in that area or witnessed the collision to call 783-3211.